So I'll be dusting off my collection of Bellydancing workouts and putting on my jingle scarves again...at long last.
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
relaxed - Music:Cat's Meow

I want something with lots of vegetables and a natural source of protein that isn't a meat substitute. So we'll be having soup from one of his favorite co-ops. He noticed that they have vegetarian cooking classes there, so it's definitely something I want to check out.
- Mood:
blah

- Mood:
annoyed

The Ren Fest trip will be with my dear David, his sister Lynn, and his stepsister Nancy. It should be all kinds of fun. I haven't been back since I shut down my booth two years ago. The space I rented from Sarah has been completely remodeled and is now a leather shop I'm told. I want to see what they managed to do with it. I will be going as a patron, not even a playtron, just mundane clothing for me. I want to be comfortable while I walk around out there!
Oh, and I did want to mention that I had three vegetarian lunches this week. The third was unexpected, because it had chicken in it. I just didn't like the look of the frozen chunks so I picked them out and just ate the veggies and the noodles.
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
cheerful

I have had a solid habit of eating in front of the television. This makes the carpeting in front of the couch dirty, and it's just a terrible habit. I am not honoring my body this way. So on Saturday we purchased a new kitchen table and chairs. The old one, which was too tiny, and the bakers rack, were sold for a pittance in our Garage Sale. It was 2 ft by 2 ft top, and there wasn't room for two people to sit there.
Now I'm creating a lovely eating nook with lots of character and a warm red wall that goes with the living room color. Having a place to actually DINE will make researching and cooking all those Semi-vegetarian foods feel alot better. It makes me happy and David just lets me do whatever I want to do with the house visually. It's good to be an artist sometimes!
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
satisfied - Music:computer hummmmm

Woohoo! I'm down a pound!! That's very good news. :)
Over the weekend we had a garage sale, and we had friends bring their stuff as well. This included a book called "The Gradual Vegetarian" which has some ideas about how you can look at your eating habits and make the change gradually. This makes perfect sense to me, and since it was only $.25 it is now in my collection and I've started reading it.
Deep down I know I should become a vegetarian. If only steak didn't taste so good! But I'll give it a try, because it's better for my body, better for the environment, and I intend to do it gradually to allow habits to change permanently.
Now I need to get off my but and go for my morning walk, so far so good!
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
groggy

But the weather should be nicer so I'll have no excuse, I'll be getting up and doing my morning walk before sitting all day in the driveway.
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
sleepy

So when the alarm went off at 7:00 and I hit the snooze, I knew that it was up to me and me alone to drag myself out of bed, put on my walking cloths, and hit the pavement. I stumbled to the bathroom, and peeking out the window saw the sun streaming through the leaves creating a long, lean dappled patch on the backyard. Yup a beautiful morning was unfolding and I, I had an appointment with it.
Walking cloths and shoes donned, I emerged our little aqua colored house to take out the garbage and recycling and go for my walk. Not too cool, not too warm, the weather was just right as I stepped out onto the street and headed North. Since it's my first time out, it really was more of a meander, and I had my hands in the pockets of my pink & white Namaste hoodie for most of the first block. As I was walking I spotted a metal horse head on the corner of a chain link fence that I'd never noticed before, and going down the next block a greenman face on the side of a tree stuck it's tongue out at me. Nothing supernatural, just an artistic addition by an avid gardener. On the return journey I noticed the slight haze in the air, softening the bushes lining the end of a short dead end street.
Ah morning! How beautiful. Coffee is under construction, 3 parts decaf/2 parts caffinated. Next week I plan to switch to green tea in the mornings. But one hurdle at a time.
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
awake - Music:Birds and Cats chirping

Now I'm accountable, at least once a week, to report in with my weight. So today, August 26th, 2009, I weigh 168.5 lbs.
It's a start. The other thing I will be starting is walking every day. I don't have time this morning, because I have to go to work, so I guess I'll be walking this evening. I love to walk, so hopefully I'll keep it up. Walking lets me think about things, clears my mind, and lets me get to know the neighborhood better. I might update this during the week, but I will definitely be back next Wednesday for the weigh in.
Wish me luck!
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
optimistic

Every step I take toward this instrument is filled with wonder and delight, and thanks to Terwilliger Jones some laughter too.
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
jubilant - Music:Gotta Get Me some Autoharp Music

I just got this in my inbox, and I thought I'd share it with all of you. I'm going to CONvergence this year...yay!!!

Yes, CONvergence is Imminent! Coming to the Sheraton Hotel Bloomington, 7800 Normandale Blvd., Minneapolis, MN, (952) 835-7800.
As we head into the last days and hours before CONvergence 2009, there are some things we wanted to let you know about, remind you to do, and hopefully get you excited about!
Reminders New Volunteering Opportunities Other Headlines
1. As you start packing up for the con, take a look at our “First Time Camper” list (http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
2. Registration has moved! Whether you've pre-registered and are picking up your badge or planning to register at the door, your first stop at the convention should Registration. This year they are in “Shipside” (where Harmonic CVG was last year). http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
3. We’ve arranged for extra parking with local businesses and the City of Bloomington. See further details here: http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
4. If you haven’t set up your http://schedule.convergence-con.org/ account yet, you are missing out! Take a look today, and start filling up your personal grid.
5. You can take a chance on a last-minute cancellation at the Sheraton (stop by the CVG Hotel desk when you arrive), but you’ll probably have better luck just booking a room at one of the surrounding hotels.
6. Programming kicks off at 3:00pm on Thursday and Opening Ceremonies is at 7:00pm Thursday. We’re looking forward to seeing you!
7. Don’t forget to tip your bellperson and your housekeeping staff. The Sheraton loves our community, let’s show love in return.
8. Registration is once again accepting donations of used eyeglasses. For further info visit http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
9. You are permitted to take a nap on Saturday. (It's a four day con. Pace yourself!)
10. The ATM often runs out of money, so plan ahead and stop by your bank on your way to the convention for the cash you'll be wanting over the weekend.
11. During peak hours (6:00pm-11:00pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights), Elevator Operators will be manning the South/Tall tower elevators. They are In
Charge and are to be respected.
a. No more than 10 people on an elevator, plus the Operator (for a total of 11). Elevator Operator is the final word on this.
b. All attendees will exit a down elevator on the 2nd floor. All attendees will embark on an up elevator on the 1st floor. (Excluding those needing special assistance.) “Off on 2, On on 1”
c. While waiting to enter an elevator on the 1st floor, please queue up politely.
12. When approaching a badging station, please have your badge out and visible! It keeps traffic moving and shows respect to our hardworking badgers.
Speaking of Badgers and Elevator Operators – see our New Volunteering Opportunities below!
This year, we are highlighting two of our hardworking, under-appreciated volunteer positions: Elevator Operators and Badgers.
ELEVATOR OPERATORS:
Elevator Operators have a special place in our hearts, riding in hot and crowded elevators, helping to make sure that the hotel elevators do not get overloaded and breakdown, causing heartache for our entire community.
To show their special button-pushing, people-counting Powers, Elevator Operators will be wearing visors this year to identify them. Please defer to our Operators as they work to keep our elevators running smoothly during peak hours.
To show our love to our Operators, each shift is only one half-hour (due to heat and cramped conditions) but will be counted as a FULL HOUR for volunteer time tracking. It’s an ideal volunteering opportunity for our younger community members who are looking for a way to pitch in and help.
Interested? Sign up before the convention here: http://www.beresourceful.net/~rusty/conv
BADGERS:
Love to badge? Never badged before? Either way – Enlist in the Corps!
That’s right, this year we’ve created the Badger Corps (complete with their own Oath!) to create a sense of identity and community among our dedicated badging volunteers. What do these unassuming badgers know that you don’t know?
That badging is easy (a chair to sit in for an hour) and fun (people come to you).
That you can badge with a friend (each badging station can hold up to TWO badgers – have your own badging party!).
And new this year: You can earn Merit Patches for your hard work keeping our convention running.
For badging just one hour, you earn our special Badging 2009 sew-on patch. Want to step up to the next challenge? Take a shift at every badging station (there are 8) and earn our “I Badged the Con 2009” sew-on patch. Want to prove your Badger Corps commitment? For 15 hours of badging, we will award you the “Uber-Badger 2009” sew-on patch. (And a Badging Corp sash to sew them on to, if you’d like.)
With four days of convention to enjoy, we hope you’ll find an hour or two to volunteer and discover for yourself just how fun volunteering is! Join the Corps today!
New this year - the Volunteers Den!
On the south side of ConSuite, in Cabana 222, we are setting up the Volunteers Den. Want to relax away from the hubbub of the convention? Get that massage you signed up for? Have a quiet place to connect with other volunteers and eat a snack?
Join us in the Volunteers Den!
All you need is a Volunteers Button to enter. (And you only need to volunteer one hour to get a button!) In fact, we'll be looking for people to help us staff the Volunteers Den! Hang out, snack, and earn volunteer hours all at the same time! Now that is a deal!
Finally, the Volunteers Department is always looking for eager and friendly people to help staff the Volunteers Table. Don't want to be tied down in one spot? Then take a shift as a Roving Station Manager! Tour the convention and make sure our badgers are being taken care of.
You can sign up for any of these shifts at http://www.beresourceful.net/~rusty/conv
Keeping Track of CVG2009 Online!
http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
Lifeguard(s) Needed
http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
Where to check in: Maps
http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
CONvergence Tours
http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
New - Charity Auction at CONvergence
http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
MISFITS at CONvergence!
http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
Nokomis / Red Cross Blood Drive Returns
http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
From the CONvergence Hotel Team
http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
Artists Alley at CONvergence!
http://www.convergence-con.org/news/2009
CONvergence e-mail: info@convergence-con.org
CONvergence web site: http://www.convergence-con.org
MISFITS e-mail: info@misfit.org
MISFITS web site: http://www.misfit.org
24-hour voicemail: 651-MISFITS (651-647-3487)
board@misfit.org (All Board of Directors members - MISFITS and CONvergence Directors)
directors@misfit.org (MISFITS Directors)
directors@convergence-con.org (CONvergence Directors)
For a listing of Departmental eMails for MISFITS, visit http://www.misfit.org/contacts.htm
For a listing of Departmental eMails for CONvergence, visit http://www.convergence-con.org/about/con
For general questions or if you aren't sure who to contact, you can always use info@misfit.org and info@convergence-con.org.
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
cheerful

Hey Everyone! My Day Job is going away Winter/Spring 2010 or possibly sooner. So if there are any openings at your company, or you know of any anywhere let me know. I have experience in customer service, quality assurance & document review, and web design skills like html, a smattering of css, javascript, php.
I really don't want to be unemployed or underemployed for any length of time. Thanks a Bunch!!
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
discontent - Music:Bamboo Waterfall

(I also posted this on my Reiki Artist Blog, just so you know I'm repeating myself)
Sometimes I take modern conveniences for granted. Today I was happily working away at my computer on a new design for the Reiki Artist Store when I heard a bang and all the power went out. I called the power company and the recording said that power would be restored in about four hours. So here I am at home with no car, just the cats, and no electricity. My mind went to wondering whatever would I do all day? I can’t do laundry, watch TV, or work on the computer. What would I have for lunch? I can’t use the stove or the microwave.
Not knowing what else to do, I took a nap. Shortly after I got up I had some cold chicken and a cinnamon roll for lunch, and I was just wondering what I would do next when the power came back on. Whew! My life was back to normal with my spoiled suburban ways. But I did go ahead and finish that design I started, in honor of Earth Day:

No I’m NOT kidding. I was seriously working on this design - Power to the Planet - when the electricity went out. Go green or go without is the moral of this story. Oh yeah, and everything is connected is the sub-plot. It’s not all just words you know, the metaphysical really does affect the physical, and vice verse. This experience has definitely given me something to think about, like the fact that coincidences are put into our lives to emphasise the lessons we have to learn right now. Gaia had a point to make with me today. Welcome to my mystical magical life!
- Location:The Reiki Artist Studio
- Mood:
weird

Meanwhile Tinkerbelle is jumping on all the things she's not supposed to be jumping on, then when I get up to tell her to get down she goes into the Reiki Room. In other words, stop watching TV and meditate already! Yeah, Tinkerbelle knows what a girl like me needs sometimes.
- Mood:
moody

The other thing I did tonight was add a new section into my Reiki People's page in my Reiki Artist Store. I'd post a picture, but for some reason the darn page isn't loading. There's something about googl analytics on the progress bar, so it looks like it's not something that's going to change at the moment. Sigh. I hate it when I can't post my new pretties in my journal for you all to enjoy.
- Mood:
restless

My Political Views
I am a left social libertarian
Left: 6.99, Libertarian: 4.09

Political Spectrum Quiz
My Foreign Policy Views
Score: -5.18

Political Spectrum Quiz
My Culture War Stance
Score: -5.99

Political Spectrum Quiz
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
amused - Music:It's too quiet in here...oops the CD stopped playing...

1. YOUR REAL NAME:
Beth Hansen-Buth
2.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (mother and father's middle names):
Rosalie Oden
3.NASCAR NAME (first name of your mother's dad, father's dad):
"Don't know it he died when I was tiny" Bertin
4.STAR WARS NAME (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name):
Hanbe
5.DETECTIVE NAME (favorite color, favorite animal):
Purple Cat
6.SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, town where you were born):
Natalie Minneapolis
7.SUPERHERO NAME (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning):
The Green Scotch
8.FLY NAME (first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name):
Beth for my married name, Been for my maiden name
9.STREET NAME (fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie):
Chocolate Almond Fudge Thinmint
10.SKANK NAME (1st pet's name, street you grew up on)
Candy Tifton
11.GANGSTA NAME (first 3 letters of first name plus 'izzle')
Betizzle
12.YOUR GOTH NAME (the color Black, and the name of one of your pets)
Black Cleo
13. STRIPPER NAME (name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy)
Mambo Chocolate
- Mood:
determined

I know I needed this reminder, since Sears isn't always my first choice. It's amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and Sears hasn't withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year?
How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up for active duty .
Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.
I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears at least once, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement & feedback it well deserves.
Pass it on.
I decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I sent the following e-mail to the Sears Customer Service Department:
I received this e-mail and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the inter net may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your company. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of another store for a like item, even if it's cheaper at that store.
This is their answer to my e-mail:
Dear Customer:
Thank you for contacting Sears.The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback.
Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.
Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358
Please pass this on to all your friends. Sears needs to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do appreciate what they are doing for our military!!!
It's verified ! By Snopes.com at:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/mili

Lots of belt tightening is happening here at Applewood Cottage, but if I just give it more time I'll get the money saved up so I can drive something newish off the lot when the time comes. I'm hoping this time next year will work out, but we'll see.
- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
melancholy

- Location:Reiki Studio
- Mood:
chipper - Music:laughter


